New coach Diego Simeone called Pedro for various matches later in the season, as he continued to appear and score with the reserves: his first appearance in La Liga came on 29 April 2012, coming on for Tiago in the last minute of a 2–2 away draw against Real Betis.[5] On 9 May he received a Europa League winner's medal following Atlético's triumph over Athletic Bilbao, but did not leave the substitutes' bench.[6]